Ricky van Wolfswinkel: Norwich City agree deal for Dutch striker

Norwich City have agreed to sign striker Ricky van Wolfswinkel from Sporting Lisbon in the summer for an undisclosed fee, thought to be £8.5m.

The Netherlands international, 24, will sign a four-year deal on 1 July, subject to paperwork being completed.

Analysis

Andy BrassellEuropean football expert

"He's been very good over the last couple of years. Sporting have hit hard times and have to sell him. He's really built up the physical side of his game and is a very good finisher.

"Sporting only own 35% of him. The Portuguese media say the deal was done on Wednesday for 10m euros (£8.5m). The club need the money to pay the wages. The idea is Norwich pay now and get a bit of a bargain, because his buy-out clause is about 22m euros (£18.7m)."

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You have to give credit where it is due to Hughton, McNally and the NCFC board. This is a big statement of intent and I am sure that Hoots will be looking to spin about eight current players out and bring in some real quality to his side. Watch out, Norwich to finish 5th to 8th in the PL next season, canaries are going to fly high in the next few years !

This shows the intent to move forward and is welcomed, but we do also need to add elsewhere. This early intent I believe will give current squad a shot in the arm to spurs us onto survival, which I believe we will do.I would add to robnfc that we also have 3 in the under 21 squad for England, Ruddy an England keeper, three in the Scottish squad, OK one sent off but that's football. OTBC

OK not all young and hungry but you cant say Norwich haven't invested in British players. Out of their 30 odd player squad 22 of them are home grown, not to mention the 10 players they have out on loan; 9 of which are also home grown. Not many PL clubs can say that!!

King Kong mentioned something about this move meaning Norwich missing chance to sign young British players.... Has he missed the amount of young British signings Norwich made last 2-4 seasons. Snodgrass, Johnson, Howson, Bennett, Ruddy, Pilkington (Irish yes)... Could go on!

With the extra TV money next year 8.5m for an up and coming Dutch international looks OK. I can see a big clear-out coming in the summer assuming we get the points necessary to survive which I can't believe we won't. Top of shopping list would be centrehalf & creative centremid and then a push for top-half plus a cup run.

So you know each and every 'good' and upcoming player in the sport? Give me a break

He's only scored in the Portuguese and Dutch League? Well, players have to start somewhere. Van Persie, Van Nistel Rooy, Sneijder, Suarez, Ronaldo, Nani all were, for the most part, unknown goal-scorers in the Dutch or Portuguese league prior to arriving to the Premier League.

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